Ep. 115 —Caribbean Horror: Bringing Folklore to Film with Alyscia Cunningham

Storytelling lies at the heart of Caribbean identity. Award-winning filmmaker Alyscia Cunningham joins us to unravel the power of Caribbean folklore through the lens of modern cinema. As a first-generation Trinidadian-American, Cunningham's childhood was filled with spine-tingling tales from her parents' homeland in southern Trinidad. Today, she channels those experiences into her documentary and narrative horror films, creating what she calls "impact art" – creative works designed to educate audiences and spark meaningful conversation.

We dive deep into Cunningham's filmmaking journey with Douen and Douen II, exploring why this particular folklore figure – a mischievous childlike spirit who died before baptism – resonated so strongly with her. The conversation reveals fascinating insights about the challenges Caribbean filmmakers. Beyond entertainment, Cunningham's work serves as a crucial bridge between generations, preserving cultural knowledge while making it accessible to contemporary audiences who might otherwise never encounter these traditional tales. Her approach demonstrates how Caribbean horror folklore can evolve without losing its essence, honoring ancestral wisdom while ensuring its survival. Discover how ancient Caribbean folklore finds new life on screen, and why these stories matter now more than ever. 

Alyscia Cunningham is an award-winning impact artist, author, filmmaker, tactile artist, and photographer who has contributed to the Smithsonian, National Geographic, Discovery Channel and AOL. Her work focuses on women discovering their strengths and surviving challenging circumstances. Rooted in her identity as a first-generation Trinidadian American, Alyscia’s early fascination with storytelling was sparked by the tales of resilience, folklore, and life lessons shared by her Caribbean elders. These narratives of triumph over adversity and cultural heritage fuel her creative passion, driving her work in both documentary and narrative filmmaking. Alyscia is also the Founder and Executive Director of Her House Media LLC, focusing on production of documentary and horror films written and directed by women of color.

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